Description
This cozy Cabbage Roll Soup is a hearty one-pot dinner packed with ground beef, tender cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, tomatoes, herbs, and rice. It has all the comforting flavors of classic cabbage rolls in an easy-to-make soup that is perfect for a satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning herbs
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cups coarsely chopped green cabbage
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1/3 cup uncooked white long-grain rice
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Heat a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
- Add the minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and Italian seasoning. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Add the chopped cabbage, diced carrots, and red bell pepper. Stir well and cook for about 3–4 minutes.
- Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Stir to combine.
- Add the uncooked rice, bay leaf, and brown sugar. Stir well.
- Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice and vegetables are tender.
- Remove the bay leaf and taste the soup. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Stir in the chopped parsley just before serving.
- Ladle into bowls and serve hot.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and keep the soup lighter.
- The brown sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes, but you can adjust the amount to taste.
- Keep the soup at a gentle simmer after adding the rice so it cooks evenly without sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- If the soup becomes too thick, add additional beef broth or water to reach your preferred consistency.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Add a little broth when reheating if the rice has absorbed too much liquid.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: One-Pot
- Cuisine: American